SA, the state with no staying power

South Australians defended their state this week after the release of official statistics that showed it is the most unpopular in the nation – with more people leaving the state than arriving.

The Property Council of Australia this year awarded Adelaide the title of our “most liveable city". But the state had the lowest population growth at 0.8 per cent, a figure that is only positive due to the birth rate.

Companies in the state say they try to lure staff with flexible working hours and conditions.

Kelly and Co Lawyers chief executive Stuart Price says that although job seekers might have to look harder, there are opportunities in South Australia. The Adelaide-based firm, which has an average age of 42, offers staff 16 weeks paid paternal leave on top of the required 18 weeks. He says staff have the option of taking additional flexible leave at reduced pay.

“This has led to high retention rates," he says. “The lifestyle in Adelaide is second to none. South Australian legal firms have a good reputation and can compete with the east coast. We’re better value and have just as much experience.

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Business SA chief executive
Peter Vaughan
says in the past many young professionals looked for work interstate and overseas but with global uncertainty and the state’s impending mineral boom he expects this to change. He says there will be more work for professionals and the state will probably not have enough skilled workers to meet demand.

However, for capital markets lawyer Robert Pick, moving from South Australia was a decision based on opportunity. The Allens Arthur Robinson partner, who was born and schooled in Adelaide, moved to Melbourne 12 years ago to become a corporate lawyer.

“There was greater opportunity in Melbourne and a larger volume of work," he says.

“Some aspects of Adelaide make it desirable but they balance off other opportunities. The work’s there, there’s just not as much, or the same opportunity to specialise."

Pick says because the headquarters of national and multinational companies are based in the eastern states, they use professionals from those states.

Boost Juice founder
Janine Allis
says South Australia is a good place to start a business because of its low costs. She launched her juice-bar chain in South Australia in 2000, from one store in Rundle Mall, Adelaide. The chain now has more than 200 stores in 14 countries with revenue of $191 million a year.

“In Adelaide the rent is less, the media make it easier to reach your target audience and South Australians are good at embracing new concepts," she says.

But she believes the government needs to make South Australia more commercially attractive, offer incentives for businesses to invest and look to other states to see what they have done. She says there need to be more attractive labour rates and fewer taxes.

“They need to think how they can encourage new companies and new concepts," she says. “South Australia is not void of work but more opportunities need to be created for businesses.

“The quality of business in Adelaide is high, if not as good as eastern states. The government just needs to tweak it; if you cut out the red tape, it could just fly."